Home / National News / First Images of Utah, 'Miracle' Baby After Surviving Deadly Car Crash

First Images of Utah, 'Miracle' Baby After Surviving Deadly Car Crash

March 12, 2015

(SALT LAKE CITY) — The first images and video have been released of the recovering “miracle” baby who was in a partially submerged car for nearly 14 hours.

Lily Groesbeck survived hours in a wrecked car in freezing temperatures before being rescued by first responders Saturday. The car was found partially in the Spanish Fork River, outside Salt Lake City, with water so frigid rescuers could only stay in it a few moments at time. Her mother, who was driving, did not survive.

After being rescued, 18-month-old Lily was initially taken to Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City in stable condition. The video shows Lily, prior to her release from the hospital on Wednesday, playing with her father and singing along to “The Wheels on the Bus.”

“Her improvement is astounding. Right now she’s watching Dora and singing ‘Wheels on the Bus’ with Grandpa,” Lily’s aunt, Jill Sanderson, wrote on the family’s fundraising page earlier this week. “She is smiling and laughing for family members. We’re blown away by Lily’s progress and so grateful to her rescuers.”

Rescuers did not initially realize the toddler was in the car, although officers and firefighters at the scene reported hearing a voice asking for help before locating her. Officials said they believe her mother, Lynn Jennifer Groesbeck, 25, died on impact.